I think Cozens is a good gamble to bounce-back. Still young, big, lots of tools. 7.1 million through 29-30.
The issue I have is that Calgary has Huberdeau (10.5) through 30-31 and Kadri (7) through 28-29.
In many ways, I would feel more comfortable with Cozens simply because he is young and Buffalo is a gong-show. There is a good chance that he out-performs his deal sooner rather than later, and a change of scenery might be exactly what this kid needs.
It is a bigger risk for Calgary since with the aforementioned long-term deals already on the books, and with the likely decline of play as Huberdeau and Kadri age in those deals, the risk becomes significantly larger IF Cozens doesn't bounce back. 24.6 million in negative contracts would force Calgary to stay mediocre and stretch-out the rebuild longer than it needs to go.
If the Flames are confident that they would be able to get Cozens going again, I would be fully on-board and thrilled to grab him. Big centres don't grow on trees. They just better make sure that this kid is closer to Ryan Getzlaf than Ryan Johansen.
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